la Culebra (The Snake) (2023)
Commissioned and premiered by the Youth Orchestra of San Antonio, in conjunction with the Composers Alliance of San Antonio’s project “A San Antonio Carnival of the Animals.” Troy Peters, conductor
Orchestra — 3’10”
commission & premiere
La Culebra was written for the Youth Orchestra of San Antonio (YOSA) for a program in May of 2024 in coordination with the Composers Alliance of San Antono (CASA) and the San Antonio Zoo. Each CASA member visited the San Antonio Zoo and selected an animal to compose a piece about in order to create a “Carnival of the Animals of San Antonio.” I originally thought I would see the rattlesnake but found, instead, the Texas rat snake which is much more common in Bexar county and much more active. Below are some comments from my visit.
The snake - a mysterious creature – sat very still. Then, very quietly, she “smelled” the air with her tongue. As she slowly moved, her body (in perfect symmetry) flexed behind her. She shook some leaves to warn us to stay away. Low to the ground, she moved without any effort. Then, like an acrobat, she climbed to new heights. Suddenly she moved very quickly for cover. Where did she go? We could just see her tongue again, and, of course, we heard her warning to keep our distance as she disappeared from sight.